As an esthetician, choosing the right skincare line for your practice is essential to providing your clients with the best possible results. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to decide which brand to use. Here are 11 helpful tips for choosing the best professional skincare line for your esthetician practice.
How to Choose the
Best Skincare Line
for Your Aesthetic Business
Whether you are an esthetician, an aesthetic nurse, or any other type of skincare professional, choosing the right skincare line for your practice is a crucial step toward the best possible results for your clients. With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to pick a skincare line that not only caters to your client’s unique skin concerns and budget, but also to the treatments you offer and your practice’s unique needs.
The good news is, you don't have to navigate the overwhelming world of professional skincare lines alone! I'm here to share my expert tips on what to consider when choosing the perfect line for your business.
The following information will help guide you in your decision-making, regardless of whether you are searching for the best esthetician skincare line or the best medical-grade skincare line.
Quick tip:
Creating a simple spreadsheet is a great way to help you make an informed decision when researching different skincare lines you want to carry. List the key factors in the first row and list the skincare lines you are interested in the first column. As you conduct your research with each brand, fill out the spreadsheet.
By prioritizing your requirements and comparing each brand accordingly, you'll be able to determine which skincare line is the best fit for your business.
11 Vital Factors
to Consider When
Choosing a Skincare Brand
for Your Business
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Product Range for All Skin Types:
Look for a skincare line that offers a wide range of products and peels that not only cater to different skin types and concerns but, most importantly, include products that are safe for higher Fitzpatrick numbers and darker skin tones. Having a diverse product line allows you to treat every skin tone safely as well as provide customized treatments that cater to all your clients' needs.
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Education and Training:
Another important consideration is if the company provides additional training and education for their products and protocols. You want to look for companies that offer education that teaches you the science behind the products, the ingredients, and how to use them with your treatments for optimal results.
Some skincare lines offer online training, some in-person training, and some offer both. Some companies provide free education and training, and others require an additional cost.
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Continual Support:
It's crucial to find a skincare line that provides ongoing support and an easy-to-reach representative or customer service line. You want to work with a company that can answer your questions, give you advice on how to use and apply their products, and help you fix or resolve any issues or complications with your clients, in the unfortunate event that something goes wrong.
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Good Reputation and Results Driven:
Choose a skincare line that has a good reputation in the industry, with results-driven products that have been clinically tested and proven. Look for reviews and feedback from other skincare professionals and clients to learn more about the effectiveness and results of the skincare line. You also want to know how the company treats their customers (you) and make sure they are easy to work with.
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Ingredients:
When choosing a skincare line, one of the most important things to consider is the quality and effectiveness of the ingredients. Look for products that use safe, high-quality ingredients. You want your clients to achieve actual results. You also want to consider your clients'most common skin concerns and goals and choose a line with products and ingredients that address those.
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Price Points and ROI:
Think about how much each back-bar product will cost, as well as the retail value of the products you want to sell to your clients. Check the prices and the return on investment (ROI) for both scenarios. You don't want to put your money into a skincare line that is expensive with minimal profit margins. You should also consider your clients' realistic budgets.
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Minimum Purchase Order:
When researching a skincare line, check to see if the company has a minimum opening order for new customers and a minimum re-order. It is crucial to be aware of the minimum order requirements so that you can plan and manage your budget accordingly. Some skincare companies have no minimum purchase order requirements, while those that do might range from $500 to $5000+.
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Pre- and Post-Procedure Kits:
Pre- and post-procedure kits are a great way to elevate your practice and your client’s experience. It is a bonus if a skincare company provides post-procedure kits for clients to purchase and use at home following a chemical peel or other treatments like microneedling.
These kits help clients follow their post-care regimen at home by using the proper products. They also benefit from helping improve and maintain their results from the treatment. Pre-procedure kits are another valuable item that makes it easy for your clients to properly prepare their skin before treatment.
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Exclusivity of Distribution Channels:
Consider whether the skincare line is sold to the public on public sites or in stores, or if it can only be sold exclusively through professionals. Your personal preference and business goals will determine if this is important to you or not.
Over the years, some professional skincare lines have started to sell to the public on platforms like Sephora, Ulta, Amazon, Target, and their own company websites. As a skincare professional, you may not want to carry a brand if your clients can easily purchase them anywhere instead of from you.
Carrying a line exclusive to skincare professionals can make the brand seem more prestigious or high-quality to your clients and help maintain the brand’s perceived value. You may also lose out on retail sales if your clients can easily purchase the products online instead. By making sure that the skincare line you choose is only available to professionals, you can give your clients a more personalized experience and set your business apart from others.
On the flip side, exclusivity may not be as important to some skincare professionals for various reasons. Brands sold on public platforms can offer greater awareness, attracting more clients and a larger customer base, possibly drawing more clients to your practice.
Non-exclusive brands may also have lower minimum order requirements, making it easier for smaller practices or newly starting skincare professionals, to carry their products.
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Clinical Studies:
When it comes to choosing a medical-grade skincare line in particular, clinical studies and trials are a must. These studies demonstrate that the products have been tested and proven to be effective. This information will also be useful when speaking with your clients about the products you carry and their benefits.
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Community Support:
Another aspect to consider when choosing a professional skincare line is the availability of community support. Look for a skincare line that has a strong community presence, like Facebook groups (examples here and here, but the options are endless), where you can connect with other skincare professionals who use the same line. Even though Facebook may seem old-fashioned to some, Facebook groups specific to our industry have been one of the most helpful resources in my career.
If you find a group or forum specific to your skincare line, you can exchange tips and tricks, ask questions, and learn from other professionals who have experience with the same products. Community support can be a great way to improve your skills and knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends and developments.
Choosing a professional skincare line for your aesthetic practice is a critical step in providing the best possible results for your clients. By taking these 11 key factors into consideration as you conduct your search, you will be able to make a well-informed decision and choose the best professional skincare line that benefits both your business and your clients.
2 comments
Hi Lorena- thank you for the wonderful compliment! :)
Thank you for taking your time and putting this together.